Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - CNRP backing wage demand

CNRP backing wage demand

CNRP backing wage demand

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has firmly backed a union-led push for a $177 minimum wage in the Kingdom’s garment sector.

However, party leaders have suggested that they will not encourage mass strikes and protests this time around, in contrast to December, when workers demonstrating for a doubling of their minimum wage coalesced with an opposition-led campaign to unseat Prime Minister Hun Sen.

During that politically tense period, the party urged workers to continue striking until their demands were met.

“Out [of] or in parliament the CNRP continues to fully support the workers’ demand for a decent minimum wage,” party leader Sam Rainsy told the Post yesterday, adding that if firms stopped paying bribes to government officials, they could afford $177 “without jeopardising their competitiveness”.

“There will be [a] mass strike only at the last resort. We will do our best to prevent violence,” Rainsy went on to say.

The government blamed the opposition for having “incited” violent protests in January that saw at least five workers shot dead by authorities and millions in factory losses.

CNRP public affairs head Mu Sochua said the party was looking for a “win-win situation” for all stakeholders this time, and would push for a free and peaceful “climate of dialogue”.

“We have to learn from the past experience where lives of workers were lost, military police forces [were] used, and no independent investigation conducted,” she said.

But some unionists yesterday remained wary of overt CNRP involvement in their campaign.

“He is a lawmaker, so he has the right to join or walk out with the unions and workers to demand the minimum wage,” Collective Union of Movement of Workers president Pav Sina said of Rainsy. “But for me I think he should stay at the National Assembly to demand the wage for the workers in order to avoid [allowing] the other party to accuse us of being involved with the opposition party.”

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.